Diploma of Community Services

The Diploma of Community Services at Adelaide Institute of Health is a two-year qualification for people who want to work directly with individuals, families and communities. It sits at the diploma level on the Australian Qualifications Framework, which means it's practical, job-focused and sits below a bachelor degree. You'll study units of study across semesters, covering areas like case management, community development, counselling skills, working with diverse groups, legal and ethical requirements, and responding to clients in crisis. Assessment is a mix of written tasks, practical simulations and supervised work placements, so you graduate having already spent time in the field.

Because this is a vocational qualification, work-integrated learning is central. You'll complete a professional placement in a community services organisation, where you'll work under supervision with real clients. That could be in a family support service, a homelessness agency, a youth centre, a disability service or a multicultural settlement program. Placements are arranged by the institute and give you the hours and experience that employers ask for. The diploma also includes units on workplace safety, reflective practice and working within legal and ethical frameworks, which are the everyday realities of community services work in Australia.

Skills you'll build include interviewing and assessment, case planning, advocacy, group work, report writing and working with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, culturally and linguistically diverse communities, and people living with mental health issues. You'll learn how to manage your own caseload, keep professional boundaries, and work as part of a team. The course suits people already working in the sector who want a formal qualification, career changers who want to move into community services, and school leavers who want a hands-on path rather than a three-year degree. It also suits international students who want an Australian qualification and post-study work rights. If you're an international applicant, you'll need to meet English requirements, IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is common, but social work and community services often ask for 7.0–7.5. Check the official page for the exact requirement for this course.

On completion, you can go on to further study, such as a bachelor degree in social work or community services, with credit for your diploma units. The diploma itself is a recognised qualification for support work roles in Australia. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register. International graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and while studying you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight. Confirm all details, including English requirements and placement arrangements, on the official page.

• Community services worker
• Case worker or case manager
• Support worker in family services, youth services, homelessness or disability
• Community development officer
• Client services officer in a non-government organisation
• Assistant in a mental health or alcohol and other drugs service
• Tenancy support worker
• Settlement worker in a migrant or refugee service

These roles are found across Australia in not-for-profit organisations, local councils, state government departments, community health centres, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations. The diploma also gives you a pathway into further study, such as a bachelor degree in social work or community services.